British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland viewed the intensity and physicality of Wales’ 30-3 victory over England in the RBS 6 Nations title decider as ideal preparation for the summer tour of Australia.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has revealed he will give Wales star Dan Lydiate as long as possible to prove his fitness ahead of selection next month.

Flanker Lydiate is due to make his long-awaited comeback for the Dragons on Friday night after fracturing his ankle in September, and Gatland has resisted pressure to name his squad a week earlier than usual in order to give the likes of Lydiate and Ireland's Paul O'Connell every chance to stake a claim.

Gatland and the Lions coaches held their latest meeting this week, just days after Wales retained their Six Nations crown with a thrilling 30-3 win over England.

O'Connell is set to make his return for Munster this weeekend, while England loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero is another who, it appears, will only have to prove his fitness rather than his form to get on the plane.

For others, the European semi-finals weekend towards the end of April will be the final opportunity to nail down a place on the tour, with Gatland due to name his squad on April 30.

Four years ago, one player was selected just an hour before the squad was announced.

The Lions management expect to still be having final discussions on the night before the April 30 announcement, when they will no doubt be dissecting performances from the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Gatland had been asked to name his touring squad a week earlier but has put his foot down.

“We came under a bit of pressure to name the squad a week earlier from the suppliers who have to get a lot of the gear out, get the players suits done and stuff,” Gatland said.

“But that is a week that could potentially be significant where there is a lot up for grabs and it gives players who may have been injured more opportunity to come back.”

Gatland also revealed he viewed the intensity and physicality Wales’ victory over England a ideal preparation for the summer tour of Australia.

After a bright start, the quality of rugby on show during the Six Nations disappointed Gatland – until the championship reached its sensational climax in Cardiff.

Gatland said: “We felt there was a little bit of a fall-off in the quality of some of the games but not in terms of the character and guts that were shown.

“And on the last weekend, we couldn’t have asked for any more for the finale with one team playing for the Grand Slam and the other team still in with a chance of winning the championshop.

“That set it up for us with a good level of intensity and physicality. There was some fantastic rugby played over the first weekend.”

::Warren Gatland, British & Irish Lions 2013 head coach, was at St Michaels College, Dublin, to launch the FirstCape rugby coaching master class competition exclusive to Tesco Ireland. FirstCape are the leading South African wine brand and sponsors of the upcoming British & Irish Lions 2013 Tour of Australia.